Death of Mahsa Amini Sparks Protests In Iran

Soon after the murder of Mahsa Amini on September 16, an outraged group of citizens in Iran decided it was time for things to change. 

Protests started all over the world in support of Iranian women that are currently in danger. 

Amini was a 22-year-old woman who was harmed and put into custody by the Iranian police because they believed her hijab was worn improperly. 

In Iran, women of all religions and races must wear a hijab under the Islamic government’s law.

“I feel upset by the fact that the voices of the people of Iran, specifically women, are being suppressed by a government misusing Islam to harass its own people and oppress them for their own gain,” senior Arshia Maleki said. “I really hope that change [can] be made so that people [can] have the freedom of choice in their personal matters.” 

The Iranian government changed drastically in the late 1970’s, causing the country to fall under religious rule. 

After the Iranian Revolution, women were forced by law to wear hijabs or other head coverings in order to fall in line with the country’s religious beliefs. 

“I feel like no matter what religion you’re part of, you should be able to do whatever you want,” senior and co-president of the Middle Eastern Student Union (MESU) Sharlize Moayedi. “You shouldn’t have to wear a hijab if you don’t want to.”

This has been an ongoing source of conflict for a long time.  

“What’s happening now is kind of just a boiling point people have come to with a long history of mistreatment of women and restriction of rights for people in Iran, and an amalgamation of frustrations with a repressive regime,” senior and co-president of MESU Damon Pourmohsen said.

Women have been cutting their hair and taking off their hijabs in honor of Amini and as a way to defy Iranian modesty laws. 

According to BBC News, hundreds of protests have happened since Sept. 16, causing hundreds of people, including children, to be killed as a result. 

While thousands of protesters are being arrested, the Iranian government has also decided to shut down the internet in order to censor videos and reports of the events happening. 

On Nov. 6 at Malaga Cove, a protest was held for Persian and Iranian Palos Verdes residents. 

A crowd of people came together in honor of the people in Iran, sporting signs, motorcycles and massive Iranian flags from before the Revolution. 

“For people at our school, I think something as simple as posting on social media, if you can’t go to a protest is a really good way to spread awareness,” Pourmohsen said. 

“Issues like these have been ongoing for many years, but just really isn’t covered in our media well.”

“I think we as PV High students have to take things into our own hands and spread awareness through social media, through signs on campus and just showing our support for the Iranian community right now,” Pourmohsen said.